The Pontyscyttle aqueduct which carries the Llangollen canal & towpath 1000 feet over the River Dee 120 feet below in a narrow iron trough and is both the longest & highest navigable aqueduct in the world.

The partially restored Lancaster follows an interesting route into the Lake District & passes close to the sea as it provides excellent views of the Cumbrian hills.

Oxford to Stratford on Avon

From the dreaming spires to the home of the Bard

This walk follows three different canals on its roundabout route between two of our favourite cities.

The route can be followed in either direction. From Oxford it heads north from the heart of the city following the Oxford canal. It passes the two links to the river Thames before closely following the Cherwell valley on a three day journey via pretty golden stone Oxfordshire villages to the fine town of Banbury. For a short section the canal and river join together and for the majority of the route they run side by side.

The Oxford canal was built as a contour canal - following the contours of the land to minimise costly locks and tunnels. Consequently it closely follows the river giving it a river like feel of its own. Near Kings Sutton the canal and river cross, but instead of an aqueduct the river just flows into the canal and out of the other side.

North of Banbury the canal reaches Cropredy a pretty village and the home of Fairport Convention before you encounter some spectacular meanders in the route which means you travel 3 miles to cover 1 mile as the crow flies!

At Napton you leave the Oxford canal and join the Grand Union to travel to the neighbouring historic towns of Leamington Spa and Warwick. Leamington is an elegant riverside spa town with excellent shopping and beautiful architecture, while Warwick is a historical town with a fine castle sitting high above the River Avon.

After Warwick the route continues west dropping through the Hatton flight of 21 locks and passing through the Shrewley tunnel. before reaching its junction with the Stratford on Avon canal. This takes you through rural Warwickshire over England's longest aqueduct before taking you right into the heart of Stratford. The canal is beneath road level in the town meaning you emerge at the canal basin right next to the theatre and river at the heart of this historic town.

This is a lengthy route but sections of the route are also available as individual walks in our Midlands walk section.

Both Oxford and Stratford on Avon provide ideal bases to spend an extra day exploring the history of these fine towns. Alternativeley why not break your journey midway and spend some time relaxing and exploring the neighbouring towns of Leamington Spa and Warwick which offer a good mix of history, shopping and relaxation.